Photo by: Seth Reedy
'Cuse Visits Louisville for Road Finale
11/13/2017 5:38:00 PM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Orange (4-6, 2-4 ACC) head to Louisville this weekend in search of their road win against the Cardinals since 2007. Syracuse and the Cardinals (6-4, 3-4 ACC) meet at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 3:30 p.m. on ESPNU.
With two games remaining, the Orange need to win both to automatically become bowl-eligible, but Syracuse is taking it one game at a time, according to head coach Dino Babers.
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"So much of sports is treating each week as an individual week," said Babers. "I think the momentum is created every single week and we need to create our own momentum for Louisville."
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In addition to generating its own wave of positive vibes, Syracuse will look to carry over some of the momentum from the Wake Forest game. The Orange posted a season-high 621 total yards Saturday against the Demon Deacons, 443 yards through the air and 178 on the ground. The offense ran a season-high 99 plays with backup quarterback Zack Mahoney at the helm in place of injured starter Eric Dungey. Mahoney completed 38-of-67 pass attempts for 384 yards and three touchdowns. Syracuse led the Demon Deacons 38-24 at the break, but could not keep up pace after intermission.
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"I think Zack had a fantastic first half, but we weren't so great the second half," said Babers. "He's doing good things and I think we can be okay if we have to go with him."
For the second week in a row, the Orange will face a dual-threat quarterback in reigning Heisman winner Lamar Jackson. The junior leads the FBS in total offense, accounting for 417.9 yards per game. He is the ACC's leading passer and the conference's leading rusher.
Last season, the Orange got an up close look at Jackson's abilities, as he set a Syracuse opponent record with 610 yards of yards of offense in a 62-28 Louisville win at the Carrier Dome.
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"I think the guy is absolutely amazing," said Babers. "He can throw the ball and he can run the ball. I'm not sure if I've ever seen anybody like him. I don't think you are going to see the 2016 version of the Heisman Trophy winner. I think you are going to see a 2017 version."
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Coming down the stretch, the Orange will have to battle through the late-season wear and tear that plagues the majority of college football teams.
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"Everybody [in the conference] is banged up and everybody is hurt," said Babers. "The coaches are doing a nice job [attacking weaknesses in personnel] and this is one heck of a conference when it comes to coaches, especially when you talk about coaches in the ACC Atlantic."
Louisville holds a 9-6 advantage in the all-time series. Syracuse's last win against the Cardinals was in 2012.
In addition to being nationally-televised on ESPNU, Orange fans can hear Saturday's game live across the Syracuse IMG Sports Network.
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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With two games remaining, the Orange need to win both to automatically become bowl-eligible, but Syracuse is taking it one game at a time, according to head coach Dino Babers.
Â
"So much of sports is treating each week as an individual week," said Babers. "I think the momentum is created every single week and we need to create our own momentum for Louisville."
Â
In addition to generating its own wave of positive vibes, Syracuse will look to carry over some of the momentum from the Wake Forest game. The Orange posted a season-high 621 total yards Saturday against the Demon Deacons, 443 yards through the air and 178 on the ground. The offense ran a season-high 99 plays with backup quarterback Zack Mahoney at the helm in place of injured starter Eric Dungey. Mahoney completed 38-of-67 pass attempts for 384 yards and three touchdowns. Syracuse led the Demon Deacons 38-24 at the break, but could not keep up pace after intermission.
Â
"I think Zack had a fantastic first half, but we weren't so great the second half," said Babers. "He's doing good things and I think we can be okay if we have to go with him."
For the second week in a row, the Orange will face a dual-threat quarterback in reigning Heisman winner Lamar Jackson. The junior leads the FBS in total offense, accounting for 417.9 yards per game. He is the ACC's leading passer and the conference's leading rusher.
Last season, the Orange got an up close look at Jackson's abilities, as he set a Syracuse opponent record with 610 yards of yards of offense in a 62-28 Louisville win at the Carrier Dome.
Â
"I think the guy is absolutely amazing," said Babers. "He can throw the ball and he can run the ball. I'm not sure if I've ever seen anybody like him. I don't think you are going to see the 2016 version of the Heisman Trophy winner. I think you are going to see a 2017 version."
Â
Coming down the stretch, the Orange will have to battle through the late-season wear and tear that plagues the majority of college football teams.
Â
"Everybody [in the conference] is banged up and everybody is hurt," said Babers. "The coaches are doing a nice job [attacking weaknesses in personnel] and this is one heck of a conference when it comes to coaches, especially when you talk about coaches in the ACC Atlantic."
Louisville holds a 9-6 advantage in the all-time series. Syracuse's last win against the Cardinals was in 2012.
In addition to being nationally-televised on ESPNU, Orange fans can hear Saturday's game live across the Syracuse IMG Sports Network.
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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